What are some of the best opening paragraphs of novels?

One of the best opening paragraphs is from 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' This immediately sets the tone for a story centered around marriage and social status in 19th - century England.

The opening of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald is also remarkable. 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.”' This opening gives us a sense of the narrator's character, his self - reflection, and also sets up the idea of class differences and judgment that are central to the novel.

In 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the opening paragraph is quite evocative. 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.”' This sets up the narrator's perspective and gives a hint of the moral and social commentary that will be threaded throughout the novel.

The opening paragraph of '1984' by George Orwell is also great. 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' This simple yet jarring statement creates a sense of unease and a world that is different from our own. It makes the reader curious about what kind of place this is where the normal rules seem to be broken.

One great opening is from 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen: 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' This immediately sets the stage for a story about marriage and society's expectations.

In 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, the opening line 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' is iconic. It immediately sets the tone for the story which is centered around marriage and social status in the society of that time.

In 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the opening paragraph starts with 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."' This opening gives an insight into the narrator's mindset and also hints at the themes of class and judgment that are prevalent in the novel.

The opening of '1984' by George Orwell is quite powerful. 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' This opening is effective as it creates a sense of unease right from the start. The idea of the clocks striking thirteen is abnormal and makes the reader wonder what kind of world this is. It hints at a dystopian setting where things are not as they should be, drawing the reader into the story to find out more.

Effective opening paragraphs often set the tone for the whole novel. Consider 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. '3 May. Bistritz. - Left Munich at 8.35 P.M., on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6.46, but the train was an hour late. Buda - Pest seems a wonderful place, from the glimpse which I got of it from the train and the little I could walk through the streets.' This matter - of - fact, journal - like start sets a somewhat eerie, anticipatory tone as if the narrator is unknowingly walking into danger. It makes the reader anticipate something bad is going to happen.

They often start with a strong statement. For example, like in 'A Tale of Two Cities' with 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' This kind of statement makes the reader curious about what could be both the best and the worst. It creates a sense of mystery.